Students

BIOL2350 – Animals

2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-infrequent, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
John Alroy
john.alroy@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
BIOL1110 and (BIOL1210 or BIOL1310)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit offers a comprehensive exploration of the vast range of animal diversity. Students will examine the evolutionary history, evolutionary relationships, and ecological adaptations of animals across aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Topics covered include animal anatomy, physiology, and behaviour. Students will gain a deep understanding of how animals interact with their environment and the different roles animals play in ecosystems. Students will gain hands-on experience working with animals and undertake data analyses to develop critical thinking and observational skills while deepening their understanding in animal biology.

 

Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Life on Land; Life Below Water

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Explain the diversity of animal groups, including evolutionary events, phylogenetic patterns, and ecological relationships  
  • ULO2: Explain the anatomical, physiological, and behavioural adaptations that enable animals to survive and thrive in different environments 
  • ULO3: Demonstrate competency in practical and written skills associated with assessment of animal anatomy, physiology, and behaviour 
  • ULO4: Recognise and reflect on cultural, ethical and welfare considerations in the study of animal diversity and function, including the responsible treatment of animals in research and conservation 
  • ULO5: Apply hands-on techniques for studying animals and effectively communicate the resulting information to diverse audiences 

General Assessment Information

Media presentation

You will submit a media presentation demonstrating knowledge of animal biology using Turnitin. The presentation must adhere to one of several selected formats that will be defined and explained in detail during the Week 2 workshops. The presentation must include a specific quota of factual information regarding specific animals.

Practical skills demonstration

You will demonstrate in class that you have met activity-based learning goals. You will upload materials prepared using Excel, PowerPoint, or other software and answer questions about your learning, generally on line.

Final examination

A written examination during the Examination Period. Questions will focus both on general knowledge concerning animals and on the outcomes of practical exercises. Information about evolutionary patterns and processes and about other topics that is explained in the online recordings will be tested. Evolutionary topics to be mastered will be summarised in a Study Guide.

Late Submission Policy

  • 5% penalty per day: If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days.

    • Example 1 (out of 100): If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.

    • Example 2 (out of 30): If you score 27/30 but submit 1 day late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.

  • After 7 days: Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.

  • Extensions:

    • Automatic short extension: Some assessments are eligible for automatic short extension. You can only apply for an automatic short extension before the due date.

    • Special Consideration: If you need more time due to serious issues and for any assessments that are not eligible for Short Extension, you must apply for Special Consideration.

Need help? Review the Special Consideration page HERE

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Media presentation 20% No 20/03/26 Individual No Observed
Practical skills demonstration 40% No Completed during Week 13 Individual No Observed
Final Examination 40% No Examination Period Individual No Observed

Media presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 20/03/26
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Observed

Media presentation demonstrating knowledge of animal biology
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate competency in practical and written skills associated with assessment of animal anatomy, physiology, and behaviour 
  • Recognise and reflect on cultural, ethical and welfare considerations in the study of animal diversity and function, including the responsible treatment of animals in research and conservation 
  • Apply hands-on techniques for studying animals and effectively communicate the resulting information to diverse audiences 

Practical skills demonstration

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Completed during Week 13
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Observed

Demonstration in class of having met activity-based learning goals
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate competency in practical and written skills associated with assessment of animal anatomy, physiology, and behaviour 
  • Apply hands-on techniques for studying animals and effectively communicate the resulting information to diverse audiences 

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Examination Period
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Observed

Written examination
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the diversity of animal groups, including evolutionary events, phylogenetic patterns, and ecological relationships  
  • Explain the anatomical, physiological, and behavioural adaptations that enable animals to survive and thrive in different environments 
  • Recognise and reflect on cultural, ethical and welfare considerations in the study of animal diversity and function, including the responsible treatment of animals in research and conservation 

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Week 1 Classes

Week 1 will focus on introducing the unit and general information about animals that will serve as context for the rest of the unit. You are strongly encouraged to attend. The Week 2 workshop will focus on the Media Presentation task, and it will be difficult for you to complete it without attending. Commencing with Week 3, the weekly workshops will focus on practical laboratory exercises.

Workshop Content

The workshops will begin with general discussions of any relevant weekly iLearn recordings and on other intellectual content. Following this, most of the time will be spent on practical exercises. Assessment of skills learning will progress during the workshops but no marks will be released until the end of the semester (see the above).

The workshops will emphasise evolution, anatomy, physiology, and development. Topics will include the diversity of invertebrates in general and arthropods in particular; microscopy and imaging; dissection of sharks or rays and of possums; developmental biology; thermal relations; performance and climate; and the evolution and morphology of skulls and teeth.

Workshop Logistics

Workshops will be held each Friday throughout the semester. There will be between three offerings each day. The first two will be offered concurrently on Wednesday morning starting at 9 AM, one in 14EaR 120 Science Lab and the other in the adjacent 14EaR 160 Science Lab. The last workshop will commence at 1 PM the same day in 120 Science Lab.

For infrequent attendees, workshops will be offered in two blocks. Two workshops will take place each day during these blocks. The first block will run on Saturday, 21 March and Sunday, 22 March from 9 AM until 4 PM with a lunch break. It will cover the workshop material offered to internal students during weeks 3, 4, 5, and 7. The second block will run from Tuesday, 8 April through Friday, 10 April and will also start at 9 AM and end at 4 PM. It will cover the remaining workshops offered to internals during weeks 8 through 13.

iLearn Recordings

This unit strongly emphasises acquisition of specific scientific knowledge concerning animals, which will be tested during the Final Exam. To enhance your learning, a set of short videos will be released on the iLearn site during selected weeks that will introduce aspects of both invertebrate and vertebrate biology. The videos will run to a total of approximately one or two hours each week. Topics will complement the material taught in the pracs. A substantial number of videos offered early in the unit will emphasise evolution.

 

Unit Schedule

Following Week 2, the 10 workshops will focus respectively on Invertebrates, Arthropods, Microscopy and Imaging (two weeks), Sharks and Rays, Possums, Developmental Biology, Thermal Relations, Animal Performance and Climate, and Skulls and Teeth.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2026.02 of the Handbook